Council learns about mentoring program

(From left) Rich Gardella of the Lions Club; Ann Mulvihill, vice president of the Vineland Service Clubs Council and a representative of Inspira Family Success Center; Arianne Hegeman of Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center; Rosalie Ruberti of Catholic Daughters; Sandy Firman of Vineland Downtown Improvement District; Kelly Bertonazzi, staff member at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cumberland and Salem Counties; B.J. Giercyk, treasurer, Vineland Service Clubs Council; Mike Regenelli of Southwest Council; Diane Kolman, president, Vineland Service Clubs Council and a representative of the Hug-A-Bear Foundation; Rosemary DiQuinzio of Catholic Charities; and Chris Volker of Boys & Girls Club of Vineland and Tri-County Rotary Club; are pictured at a recent meeting of the Vineland Service Clubs Council at which Bertonazzi discussed her organization.(Photo: Provided)

Kelly Bertonazzi, staff member at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cumberland and Salem Counties, spoke to members of the Vineland Service Clubs Council about the programs and services offered by the agency. Big Brothers Big Sisters matches school age children with mentors in professionally supported one-to-one relationships. The organization targets the children, including those living in single parent homes, growing up in poverty, who have lost a parent or who are coping with parental incarceration, who need the most help. The organization’s services are unique in their combination of informal friendships with the support of professional case management.